News of two captive orcas.
In Canada, Kiska, an orca often referred to as “the loneliest whale in the world” has died after spending over four decades in captivity at Marineland, a zoo and amusement park in Niagara Falls. Kiska was the last captive killer whale in Canada and was captured in Icelandic waters in 1979 alongside Keiko, the star of the movie, Free Willy,
In Florida, steps are being taken to return the orca Tokitae to the waters of the Pacific north-west. The Guardian reports that Tokitae is the oldest killer whale in captivity. Now in retirement, she spent decades performing at the Miami Seaquarium, where she went by the name Lolita. She lived in the smallest orca enclosure in North America, in a pool of water that made her skin infected and was fed fish that was occasionally rotten and led to intestinal issues.
Over the years multiple groups, including members of the Lummi nation and animal rights organizations, have called for the whale’s release from the Seaquarium, with some staging protests outside the facility.
On Thursday, the owners of the Miami Seaquarium where Tokitae lives announced a “formal and binding agreement” with a group called the Friends of Lolita to begin the process of returning Tokitae to Puget Sound. A news release indicates that the joint effort is “working toward and hope the relocation will be possible in the next 18 to 24 months”.
Tokitae’s ordeal began in the calm waters of Penn Cove, Whidbey Island – a quiet island off the coast of Washington State – five decades ago. Men with long sticks and guns corralled a group of resident killer whales, separating mothers from their calves. At least a dozen of those whales died during the capture, and more than 50 were kept for captive display.
One of those calves was four-year-old Tokitae. Back home, the native Lummi people call her Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut – meaning that she is a member of Sk’aliCh’elh, the resident family of orcas who call the Salish Sea home. The tribe, who views killer whales as part of their extended family, has never stopped fighting for her release.
There are still questions about Toki’s health and her ability to travel across the country to a sea pen. The pen would be constructed with the help of the non-profit Whale Sanctuary Project, which is also creating the world’s first whale sanctuary off the coast of Nova Scotia, following the model of areas to house big cats, great apes or elephants after they have been in captivity.
First let me say I do not have training in marine science. However in the 1960’s I spent three years living in British Columbia. During that time I worked piloting tugs tows, and local cruise ships along the Inside Passage.
In addition I served one year in the newly formed Canadian Coastguard dealing with buoys, supplying lighthouses and as a Watchofficer on the Western Arctic Patrol 1967.
During this time I learned quite a bit about the Region’s marine life from local scientists. From this it was my understanding that the captured Orcas would not survive if returned to the regions waters. The other Orcas would reject them, and attack them when feeding. So it seems to me ill advised to try and return them. Finally I am now retired in the Miami area and have visited Lolita/Tokitae many times with my children and grandchildren.
Good Watch
The Orcas at the many zoos were taken from different parts of the world with very different methods and habits of communication, hunting and tolerance. They are as diverse as loud communicators to a silent breed that hunts off the Eastern Seaboard.
They were put together to make money at the expense of their wellbeing and shows put on fired up the crowds as if the aquariums were saviours rather than the bullies that they really were. Feeding rotten fish to the Orcas sums up their owner’s attitudes. They should hang their heads in shame for the only reason they shall be released is to reduce their costs as their once moneymakers head for certain and swift deaths.
Further to my comment yesterday I have learned that Tokitae was captured in Icelandic waters and that her mom is still alive in those waters. If this is actually the case one supposes there is a chance she may reform the contact and survive.
As to the other comment I was not able to confirm or deny the rotten fish.
I think it is doubtful that such a mammal so valuable to aquariums would be treated this way ; sadly however it is all too possible.
Good Watch